The Water Lilies Are In Bloom Again

The water lilies are in full flower here at the Seamaiden's modest little lagoon. They are probably my favorite flower with their fragrance and showy, serrated petals that float on the surface of the pond. If I could, I would have them as the focal point of my bridal bouquet!

Enjoy the pictures and these fun facts and illuminating links about water lilies:

The water lily family, Nymphaeaceae, is prehistoric and primitive in terms of evolution. Fossil evidence suggests that nymphaeas have not changed much over the past 160 million years. They have simply moved throughout the earth, staying in tropical and temperate zones.

The Egyptians had different words for lotus and water lily, but the Romans, who brought knowledge of the lotus to Europe, used the same name for both plants.

The ancient Egyptians revered the Nile water lilies (they were used as a key to good health, sex and rebirth), and they are a frequent motif of temple art. Remains of the Egyptian blue water lily, which flowers during the day, and the Egyptian white water lily, which flowers at night, were found in the tomb of Ramesses II. The Egyptian blue water lily was found scattered over the body of Tutankhamen (that's King Tut) when Howard Carter opened his tomb in 1922.

How to Care for Water Lilies and Other Aquatic Plants

Claude Monet's Water Lilies

Pink water lilies (the prettiest!)

Water lilies at the Getty Villa (Malibu, California)

Lilypons Water Gardens

International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society

Shop Amazon.com for all things water lily!